Christmas Gifts for Female Cyclists

By Lorraine Smith, posted 30 November 2017

Stuck for what to buy for the female cyclist in your life (even if that's you)? Look no further.

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Well, this certainly isn’t an article I thought I’d be writing a year ago. Relatively new to this whole world of two-wheeled adventure-dom, and being the epitome of the phrase ‘all the gear and no idea’, I am excited by the sheer array of slick (and downright useful) stuff that is available with which to adorn your bike. And yourself.

Now, I am told, that there is a bit of a wrangle about whether we, the women of the roads and trails, need specific ‘female cyclist’ gear. But, as it is Christmas, I shall leave that debate for another day and crack on with 5 cycling-related gifts which would bring me comfort and joy on Christmas morning. Santa, I have been (mostly) good.

1

Sod it, I’m starting off punchy, and this present definitely ‘packs a punch’ by its own admission. Whilst I’m not entirely sure how riding in Mallorca will help me to ‘celebrate my femininity’, I am sure this would be a great trip. Apparently ‘exceptional people deserve extraordinary rewards’, and I am not one to disagree. The word ‘luxury’ is liberally spread throughout (and there is a complimentary mini-bar). The hotel is the 4* Esplendido, situated in Puerto de Soller in the North East of the island, near the Tramuntana mountains. I am told that JRtB are often out in Mallorca, and can testify that it is fabulous at pretty much any time of year. This trip, in the middle of peak bike-season, looks brill. And you can take your ‘significant other’, which is probably a wise choice if they bought you this for Christmas!

2

Che belli! The Italians always do it better, and the Castelli women’s gear is literally a cut above the rest. Combining comfort and performance, at a reasonable price, you can’t really go wrong. ‘Speedy endurance’ is the tagline for these fab bib shorts – Velocissima by name and surely by nature. Yes, you could go native and still get a decent pair of bib shorts. But these are just, well, so darn stylish.

5

I love this. An alternative to the traditional Camelbak, the Workplay Cycling & Running hydration pack is just the ticket for mountain bikers and leisure riders alike. It might not do an all-day backcountry epic if that’s your bag (ha), but it will see you through most trips with its 5 litre capacity.